It isn't what they say about you, it's what they whisper.

— Errol Flynn

newspaper clippings

Assignments

Current Case Study: Helping Women Ski Jumpers Soar

From March 2008 to the spring of 2010, we provided pro bono assistance for the lawsuit launched by a group of 15 elite women ski jumpers from seven countries to gain entrance into their sport at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Teaming with a prominent Vancouver law firm and Women's Ski Jumping-USA, DLF Communications Ltd. crafted a communications and legal support strategy that challenged the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee as well as the International Olympic Committee, and captured international headlines for the women ski jumpers' battle.

From the BC Supreme Court, though the BC Court of Appeal and all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, the case won the hearts of people the world over and garnered unprecedented attention for the causes of women in sport, gender equity and human rights. Though the legal challenge was not successful, recently the Federation Internationale du Ski voted unanimously to recommend the inclusion of women in ski jumping to the IOC for the 2014 Olympic Games and women's ski jumping is on the program for the next Junior Winter Olympics. The courage of the 15 young athletes was an inspiration for all of us who volunteered to fight on their behalf.

From the media:

Deborah Folka, a spokeswoman for the ski jumpers, said they knew when they wrote the letter there was little chance Rogge would change his mind. “We’re not delusional, but we are determined,” she said.
The Vancouver Sun, Jeff Lee, August 25, 2009

The campaign to get women’s ski jumping into the 2010 Olympic Games did put VANOC on its heels, thanks to a lawyer and public relations practitioner who both worked pro bono. “They did a really good job of holding our feet to the fire on that issue,” Renee Smith-Valade, VANOC vice-president of communications admitted. “No other group, even those vehemently opposed to the Games, has come close. I don’t see, unfortunately, the resources or even the drive to be really good. If you want to come and take us on, take us on, bring it on. You know what? We’re ready. You do need to have some level of sophistication in your communications strategy to do it.”
Business in Vancouver’s Bob Mackin’s 2010 Gold Rush column, June 2-8, 2009

From the lawyer:

I am legal counsel for the women ski jumpers seeking to participate in the 2010 Olympic Games. Deborah Folka graciously accepted responsibility for public relations. From my perspective, our public relations campaign has achieved far more than we expected. Difficult legal issues have been concisely synthesized into digestible themes for public consumption with great success and the public presentation of our clients cause has been outstanding. Deborah has succeeded in getting our story before the public and extracting strong public support at local, provincial, national and international levels. In addition, my work as counsel has been eased through the careful co-ordination of press interviews and conferences. I know the client shares my views.
D. Ross Clark, Q.C., partner, Davis LLP

From the plaintiffs:

“Deborah Folka has done a spectacular job as the publicist and media liaison in our quest to get women ski jumpers in the 2010 Olympics. She has been focused, dedicated, organized, professional and above all gracious in researching and delivering our message to the rest of the world. Deborah not only used her contacts and knowledge to keep the media informed, but she coached, mentored and supported everyone involved, from lawyers to athletes and parents. We were navigated through various crises by her diplomacy and expertise. Her assistance and boundless energy have been invaluable.”
Jan Willis, Sarah Lynch and Nina Hooper-Reid
On behalf of Canadian Women Ski Jumpers and Families

From the WSJ-USA team:

Deborah Folka and DLF Communications have provided invaluable leadership and support to the fight by women ski jumpers for equality in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. Her insight into communications strategies and protocols has been spot on, and her willingness to jump into the effort and develop a communication strategy that has resulted in worldwide coverage is a skill she brings to this and other initiatives.
Vic Method, Vice President — Board of Directors
Women's Ski Jumping USA, Park City, Utah